While Hans and his fellow pilots fought in the skies above the ocean's surface. The German warships continued to unload their large bore guns onto the Japanese fleet. However, it became abundantly clear that the Kriegsmarine was heavily outnumbered. Within thirty minutes of the entire display, the 6th CSG had lost all six of its destroyers, what remained of their crew, had hit the lifeboats and entered the water as their large steel vessel sunk to the bottom of the ocean.
However, it was not all fun and games for the Japanese Armada, as the German battleship and cruisers focused their fire on the enemy's fleet. In these thirty minutes, the Japanese had lost a total of two battleships, four cruisers, and six destroyers.
